Automobile steering gear



' July 3, 1928. 1,675,520 l. J. WATKINS AUTOMOBILE STEERING GEAROriginal Fiied Sept. 5, 1924 7 4 gnm'nkvo I I J wf/r/ha Ill PatentedJuly 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,675,520 PATENT OFFICE,

IRAH JUNIOR' wn'rxms, or CINCINNATI, onto assxenon. 'ro. DUDLEY mnnnws,or

, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, AND mums L. ARNOUT.,, or BUFIALO, NEW YORK.

AUTOMOBILE s'rnnnme GEAR.

Application filed Septey nber 5, 1924; SeriaIKo; 786,102: Renewed March22, 19271 This invention 7 relates to an improved steering gear ormechanism for automobiles and while 1t may be used in connection withfull sized machines, it has been especially devised for use inconjunction with miniature automobiles of atype adapted to be driven bymonkeys.

Before I proceed with the description of the features and advantages ofthis invention, I would like to point out that the type of machine uponwhich I propose to apply my invention is, as before stated, one which isadapted to be driven by a monkey or the like, these machines beingautomatically propelled and being steered by the animal itself. Machinesof this classare seen more frequently on show grounds where motor dromesand bowls are present. Of course, since an animal of this class does notpossess the necessary degree of knowledge for safe steering, it isusually customary to provide the top of the bowl with a laterally andinwardly extending rim to prevent them from riding out. To make thedriving operation more realistic and impressive to the onlook-' ershowever, it is desirable to permit the animal to steer the machine, butunder the control of limiting means and not to a clangerous degree. Itis therefore my purpose to provide a steering mechanism which isparticularly adaptable in carrying out this end in that it permits alimited movement of the front guiding wheels of the machine.

It follows that the prime feature of the invention is to provide asteering mechanism for machines of this class which is limited in itsmovement, that is movable to a predetermined degree in oppositedirections to control the angling of the guide wheels from left toright.

It is another feature of the invention to pivotally mount the front axleon a hor1zonlathe accompanying drawing forming a partof thisspecification and in which like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the same:

Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a small automobile equipped:with a steering gear constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation with a portion ofthe front broken away andshown in section to disclose the'structure more clearly.

Figure 3 is a cross section taken substantially on the plane ofthe line3--3 of Figure2.

In the-drawing, the letter B designates the body of the machine, Adesignates the axle, the letter W refers to the front wheels, and theletter C indicates the arms of the usual steering knuckles at theopposite ends of the front axle. i i

Referring now to the: inventionitself, we observe that it comprises a.forwardly and downwardly inclined steering rod 1, turnable about itsaxis and at the upper end of which is the hand wheel 2 adapted to'begrasped by the monkey. The forward end of the rod extends through abearing opening formed in the dummy radiator, this end being directeddownwardly as at 3 to provide a crank arm and the lower end of thiscrank arm being directed forwardly and connected with a link 4 which isin turn connected at its outer end with the right hand steering knuckleor with the corresponding end of the cross rod 5 between the arms of thetwo steering knuckles. In other words, so far as described the presentsteering mechanism simulates that found on full sized automobiles of thepresent day. With the arrangement just described it is obvious thatmovement of the wheel 2 from left to right. will swing the wheels Wabout their vertical pivots to angle them to direct the car eithertoward the right or left. As before stated, it is desirable to limitthis angling of the wheels so as to give the desired steering appearancebut to prevent the car from riding out of the bowl. Incarrying out thisend I provide the intermediate portion of the rod 1 with the dependingleg 6. Connected to the lower end of this leg are two chains 7, alsoconnected opposite side portions of the automobile frame, which, as isobvious, will limit the rotation of .the rod 1 and in turn limit theturning movement of the guide wheels W. It is to be noted that a bracket8 is fixed to the intermediate portion of the axle A and is connected bya single horizontal pivot pin 9 to the body of the automobile. So, itwill be seen that the Wheels in addition to swinging about the usualvertical axis provided by the steering knuckles may also cant or inclinewith respect to the line of travel by swinging about the pivot pin 9.With this dual movement of the guide wheels, while the actual steeringis not to a great degree, to the onlookers it appears to be muchgreater, and the scene of the monkeys actually steering theautomatically driven machines about the bowl is amazing, yet the degreeof steering is not such as to render the travel unsafe for the animal.

By carefully considering the foregoing description in connection withthe drawing, the inventive intent, the structure and arrangement ofparts, and the method of operation will be comprehended. A more lengthydescription is therefore deemed to be unnecessary.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. In a device ofthe class described, an automobile frame, a front axle pivotallyconnected on a horizontal pivot at a point between its ends to theintermediate portion of the frame for permitting rocking of said axleupon said pivot,'steering Wheels disposed at the outer ends of saidaxle, steering knuckles interposed between the Wheels and the ends ofthe axle, a connecting rod between the arms of said steering knuckles, alink having connection with one of the steering knuckles, a rod turnableabout its axis and connected at one end to the inner end of said link, adepending leg carried by the intermediate portion of said rod, and apair of separate chains connected to the lower end of said leg and attheir outer ends to the frame of the automobile.

2. In an automobile and in combination, an axle, a frame pivotallyconnected to the axle, steering wheels on and movable relative to theaxle, a steering rod turnable about its axis on the frame and connectedWiththe steering wheels, and means connecting the frame and the steeringrod to control turning of the latter; said means including a pendent legon the rod,and means connecting said leg and the side portions of theframe at opposite sides of the leg.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

IRAH JUNIOR WATKINS.

